The Caldera Artfest, officially opening on Saturday night at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre, is set to be a record-breaker with more than 180 entries submitted for the four-day exhibition and touring events.
With increased interest and space to hang only 95 works at the main event in the Murwillumbah Civic Centre auditorium and 35 at the Tweed River Art Gallery, for the first time, some works had to miss out.
Covering a wide range of mediums from traditional oil paintings to contemporary sculp-tures, every artwork depicts some aspect of the stunning flora, fauna, landscape and environmental sustainability of the Mt Warning Wollumbin Caldera.
“The Caldera Artfest is much more than an art show,” said Festival Organiser, Andy Reimanis.
“The underlying aim is to educate people about the unique biodiversity and geography of this unique region and to foster an understanding of the need for conservation and sustainable practices.
“As such, we ask each artist to present their own personal interpretation of the landscape and biodiversity and how it inspires their creativity, with the judging based on a combination of artistic value and the message they are conveying.”
Embracing the theme with enthusiasm, several entrants have adopted an innovative approach, including Susan Walden who has created a pair of ubiquitous Brush Turkeys from felted wool.
Now in its third year, the Caldera Artfest is also attracting growing support from local and regional organisations and businesses, with this year’s list of sponsors including Southern Cross Credit Union, Northern Rivers CMA, Essential Energy, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Cross University, Limpinwood Lodge, Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat, The Print Spot, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Scenic Rim Shire Council, Tweed Shire Council, Destination Tweed and the Tyalgum Music Festival.
The gala opening event (4pm for 4.30pm) Saturday, October 1 will feature a collaboration with the Tyalgum Music Festival in the form of ‘a random act of culture’.
The opening address will be given by the recently appointed Dean of the School Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University, Professor Mike Evans. The Max Boyd Prize (supported by Crystal Creek Rainforest Creek), the Essential Energy schools prize, and the Tyalgum Music Festival prize (supported by Limpinwood Lodge) will also be presented at the opening.
The Caldera Artfest will be held in the Murwillumbah Civic Centre auditorium, from Friday, September 30 till Monday, October 3 (9am – 5pm), with the gala opening at 4pm (for 4.30pm) on Saturday, October 1. All welcome and entry is free.
